Keemaan Diop is declared the winner of the American Muay Thai League championship. PHOTO BY NIKKI PUCCIO

Cheers erupted from the crowds as the referee grabbed the arm of Montgomery County local Keemaan (pronounced “k?y?-m?n”) Diop and raised it high in the air. The referee then wrapped around Diop’s waist the championship belt for the American Muay Thai League’s 147lb weight division.

Diop defeated Brian O’Halloran from Capital MMA with an astonishing kick to the head, leaving O’Halloran screaming in pain on the canvas in the semi-final round. Then, a unanimous decision against Stephen Nguyen from Lotus Thai Boxing-Fairfax in the finals to marked the end of his amateur matches and the start of his pro career.

“After a win, I like to say I added another brick to building my dream. It’s a great memory. Now it’s on to the next,” Diop said.